HUNTINGDONSHIRE S first ever district-wide food and drink festival will take place next September, providing a taste sensation for food lovers. Planning for the week-long event – which is still 10 months away – has already started and the emphasis will be

HUNTINGDONSHIRE'S first ever district-wide food and drink festival will take place next September, providing a taste sensation for food lovers.

Planning for the week-long event - which is still 10 months away - has already started and the emphasis will be on healthy local food.

The Huntingdonshire Food and Drink Festival will be made up of dozens of events to take place across the district between September 9 and 16.

Deni Darke, Huntingdonshire District Council's project manager for the festival, said hundreds of ideas had already been put forward for the event.

"The idea came from the town centre managers of Huntingdon, St Ives, Ramsey and St Neots way back last year," she told The Hunts Post. "Now we're in a position to develop the original idea and put on a festival that will have appeal for all the family.

"It's early days as yet, but we have had literally hundreds of suggestions about the sort of events we should put on and are working hard to finalise the programme to include something for everyone."

What is already known about the festival is that it will begin with a major one-day food and drink fair in the main arena at Wood Green Animal Shelters.

Throughout the festival week special menus will be offered in Huntingdonshire restaurants, and there will be wine tasting events, food quizzes, food trails and special farmers' markets.

There will also be a food-related craft market at the Wood Green event and festival organisers said they were hoping to run a Young Chef of the Year competition to encourage schoolchildren to think about healthy food.

On the second weekend of the festival, the organisers are planning a number of events aimed at providing a good day out for families.

Festival visitors will be given a 'passport' of vouchers for the event that will include special offers and discounts.

Local businesses such as cafes, restaurants, hotels, pubs and B&Bs can still get involved in the festival and help make it a success. In addition, the organisers would like to hear from Huntingdonshire's food and drink producers as well as craft businesses that are linked to the food trade.

More information about events will be released as the festival draws nearer.

INFORMATION: To contact Deni Darke about the food and drink festival call 01480 388074 or e-mail D.Darke@huntsdc.gov.uk